Laundry-marking machine.



T. J. HUME. LAUNDRY MARKING MACHINE. APPLICATION FILED APR. 1, 1907.

Patented Jan. 5, 1909.

6 SHEETS-SHEET 1.

Af/omcy T. J. HUME. LAUNDRY MARKING MACHINE. APPLICATION FILED APR.1, 1907.

Patented Jan. 5, 1909.

6 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

Wi l'n eases T. J. HUME. LAUNDRY MARKING MACHINE.

APPLICATION FILED APR. 1, 1907.

Patented Jan. 5 1909.

6 SHEETSSHEET 3.

MS /4% 281mm 9 I216 I T. J. HUME. LAUNDRY MARKING MACHINE. APPLICATION FILED APR.1, 1907.

Patented Jan. 5,1909. 6 SHEETS-SHEET 4.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

THOMAS J. HUME, QF KANSAS CITY, KANSAS, ASSIGNQR TO HUME MANUFACTURING 00., OF

KANSAS CITY, KANSAS.

LAUNDRY-MARKING MACHINE;

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented .l'an. 5, 1909.

Application filed April 1, 1907. Serial No. $65,779.

To all whom it may concern;

Be it known that I, THOMAS J. HUME, a citizen of the United States, residing at "Kansas City, in the county of Wyandotte a spec' 'cation.

This invention relates to printing-machines, and has for its object particularly to l rovide a machine whereby laundrymen may indelibly print or mark symbols or names of their customers upon the goods prior to their being washed. 7 v

In the embodiment of the invention illustrated in the accompanying drawings, the

machine comprises a plurality of pivotallymounted segments bearing letters and numbers upon portions of the peri heries thereof, said segments being movab e, by gravity, to bring any desired character into a predetermined position forming, with similarly positioned characters on adjoining segments, the line of printing, ready to be inked and to thereafter cause an indelible mark to be applied to the goods.

nether of the particular objects of the invention is to provide means whereby the type (meaning either letters or numerals or any symbol that may be referred) may be set by means of finger eys bearing a suitable indicating symbol or symbols.

Another object is to provide a structure in which each finger key acts upon a segment-releasing mechanism common to'all of the keys, said releasing mechanism cooperating with escapement mechanism in such manner as to re sively.

Another object is to provide a structure in which the length of pivotal movement of the segment is controlled by depressed key,

ease the segments succesthe segment being locked in position when the predetermined position has been reached. Another object is to provide means for limiting the number of segments which may be used in-the operation of the machine.

Another object is the provision of an ink ing mechanism which is positive in its action and which has its movements timed and positively actuated in such manner as to prevent any liability of the material contacting therewith during the printing operation.

Another object is the provision of a platen for the material which may be used to carry either separate articles of laundry or a tape structure to the printing line.

Another object of the invention is to rovide a machine of this character in w icli the type segments may be quickly returned to normal position after as many impressions of a given alinement as may be desired have been made upon the goods.

Another object of the invention is to rovide a machine of this character-in wfiich a spacer may be employed soas to enable certain type-se ments to be left in normal position in or or to leave a blank s ace,

such as between two names or initia s or between a name and a number.

To these and other ends, the nature of which will be readily understood as the invention is hereinafter disclosed, said invention consists in the improved construction and combination of parts hereinafter fully described, illustrated in the accompanying drawings, and particularly pointedout in the appended claims.

In the drawings, in which similar reference characters indicate similar parts in all of the v views, Figure 1 is a perspective view of a machine embodying my invention. Fig. 2 is a view showing in elevation the mechanism on the right hand side of the machine, the side wall having been omitted. Fig. 3 is a similar view of the opposite side of the machine.

Fig. 4 is a plan view partly in section. Fig. 5 is a view similar to ig. 2, artly in section. Fi 6 is a sectional view ta en on line6-6 of ig. 4, looking in the direction of the arrow. Fig. 7 is a detail view of one of the key plates or bars. Fig. 8 is a detail view of a part of the U-shaped frame which forms the actuatin mechanism for releasing the segments.

awls for retaining the segments in ig. 10 is a detail view of the bloc of the escapement mechanism. Fig. 11 is a detail view showing the latch or dog fprming part of the mechanism for moving the'type-inking pad frame pivotally. Fig. 12 is a detail view of the ink reservoir and pad. Fig. 13 is a detail view of the frame carrying the type-inking pad. Fig. 14 is a detail view showing a modified arrangement of the material-gripping members.

20 designates a suitable base on which are mounted the two s de-walls .21, through one of which,the shaft 23 projects, said shaft ig. Qis a detail view of one of the position.

having the'typesegments 24 loosely mount.

ed thereon. 'I e upper portion of the side walls is curved concentrically with the axis of the shaft 23, and mounted upon said curved portions is a plate 22 throu h which the key stems extend, the side wal s 21 and an inclosing structure for but such arrangement may be modified as desired, it being understood, of course, that whatever the arrangement of the characters on the segments, a similar arrangement of keys must be made. I also prefer to provide two series of segments, one series having numerals alone, the other series having the letters and other characters, thereby decreasing the size of the segments as well as the number of keys required.

26 26 designates skeleton side ,frames'havin feet 27 for attachment to the base 20, sultable means, such as screws or bolts, being used for this purpose, spaced apart a oistance sufficient to receive the segments 24. Suitable braces are interposed between the two frames to retainthem 1n fixed position relative to each other. Sail frames contain the bearings for the shaft 23 hereinbefore' referred to.

Each segment 24 (shown in side elevation in Fi 5) is formed with a hub portion 28 (see Eig. 4) from which extend two arms 29, the outer ends of which are connected with the segmental portion 30, the latter having on its periphery the printing characters hereinbe ore referred to. -Ihe hub, arms 29 and segmental. portion 30 are preferably formed integral, as show At the upper end ofv the segmental portion30 is an outwardly-exteming PIOJGOtlOIl 31, and said segmental portion is also recessed, as at 35, to receive a spring-actuated pawl or detent 32, the latter being pivotally mounted and proviied at its outer end with a lug 33 adapted to limit the outward movement of the pawl by contacting with a lug 34 formed on the projection 31. The pawl 32 is of such a size and form as to fit within the recess 35 when pushed inward against the action of its spring 36, in which position the outer edge of sari pawl forms a substantial continuation of the periphery of the segment. When the awl is moved outward by its spring, a space is formed between its end and the projection 31, for a purpose hereinafter referred to.

The segmental portion is of sufiicient length to permit all of the desired characters to be placed'on its periphery, and all of the segments used in the machine are of the same said frames being.

- teeth.

shape and sizeregardless of the number of characters which may be carried by each, and all of the segments prior to the setting operation will be in alined position. To retain the segments in such'alined position, but capable of being released to move iv otally on the shaft 23, I provide indepen ent mechanism for each segment, which mechanism I will now describe:-

37 designates a rod which extends horizontally between the frames 26, on which rod are mounted the retaining pawls 38 shown in detail in Fig. 9. Each awl 38 comprises a hub 39 and arms 40 an 41 extending therefrom, the arm 40 having its face formed to engage one of a series of teeth 42 formed on the inner edge of the segmental portion 30 concentrically with the outer edge or periphery of the segment which bears the, printing characters 25. The arm 41 is provided with a laterallyextending lug 43, against the lower surface of which a spring 44, carried by a plate or bar45, extends, said spring tending to retain the awl 38 in contact with the teeth 42.

It wil be readily understood that if the pawl 38 be moved pivotallyto carry the arm 40 out of contact with the tooth with which it is engaged, the segment 24 is thereby made free to move pivotally, by gravity, as long as said arm 40 beheld out of the path of movement of the teeth 42. If, however, the arm 40 be permitted to ass into the path of movement of the teet 1,- the pivotal movement of the segment. will be arrested and the segment will be retained in the arrested position by the pawl 38 engaging the Each se ment is formed with a space in the rearfofor behind its character bearing surface, said space being bounded by the inner toothed edge of the segmental portion 30 and the arms 29, said space receiving, or allowing room for, the releasing mechanism. 'Ihe'teeth 42 of the segments are directly opposite the character bearing surfaces so that the pawls 40 are not far removed from 'the printing characters of the segments;

thatis, the outer edges of the segmental portions present the character bearing surfaces while the inner edges thereof are toothed. This provides for compactness and durability, less metal and consequently less inertia and less momentum than if a complete wheel were employed. It also enables the pawl mechanism to be located inside the segments or between their character bearing surfaces, and their axisof oscillation, thus providing for compactness and accuracy. I

The teeth 42 are of a size and shape, and so positioned relative to each other, as to bring the peripheral characters of the segment into a given line, the character so alined depending uponwhich tooth is engaged seams with the pawl 38. Andwhen the pawl has remain in that osition until re-set, owin'g to the relative cm of the teeth and the position cfthe pawl 38, but such structure will not prevent the pawl from riding freely over the teeth during a reverse or resetting movement of the segment.

To prevent liability of the pawl 38 of one segment operatin on the teeth of an ad joiningsegment, I tween each hub 39, said washers spacing the pawls a sufficient distance a art to insure against such engagement. hould further protection be desired, the washers 46' may.

be of a 'size's'uflicient to extend outwardly between adjoining segmental portions 30.

The release of the segments 24 and the positioning thereof to present a predetermined character to the given line of p1i1t-= ing is performed by the following mechan1sm: i

46 designates a U-shaped frame, the side arms'47 of which are located adjacent to the inner sides of the frames 26, and between said frames and the adjacent segments 24. The connection portion 48 of the frame 46 is located at the bottom portion of the machine. The outer free ends of the arms47 are each connected to or formed integral.

with a segmental plate 49, the outer periphery of which is concentric with the plate 22 and the periphery of the segments 24, said plates 49 being of a len th to permit of contactwith the peri hery ereof of each of the keys herelna ter described. The frame 46 extends at an angle to the vertical, and is adapted to be moved in buta single plane, the side arms 47 being guidedin such m-ovementby means of guide pins 50 located on the frames-26, the shaft 23, and

the rod 51 hereinafter described, as best shovm in Fig. 5-. Said frame is normally held in a raised position by means of a spring 52 attached to the connection 28 and to one of the cross bars of theframes 26.

A brace rod 53 (see Figs. 5 and 8) connects the side arms 47 and segmental plates 49.

Pivotally mounted on one of the side arms 47 is a connecting bar 54 (see 2 and 6), which extends forwardly a suitable distance, the forward end of said bar 54 being loosely connected with an arm 55 pivotally mounted on the rod 37, the pivotal movement of said arm 55 being limited by a pin 56 extending into a slot or opening 57 formed in the frame 26. The arm 55 is connected, by a horizontally-extending rod 58, with an arm 59 mounted on the rod 37 on the opposite side of the machine, said arms 55 and 59, with the rod 58, forming a frame pivoted on the rod 37 and adapted to receive a limited pivotal movement by a movement of the rame 46. i

60 designates a rod slidably mounted in T provide washers 46 bethe side frames 26, and on which is secured, as by a set screw, a block 61 (shown in detail in 10), said block having its forwardly extending portion bifurcated as at 62, to provide a recess within which the rod 58 extends. One of the bifurcated ends of the .block 61 projects over the end of the arm 41 of one of the retaining pawls, said end 62 being of a width to contact with but one of the arms 41 at any pivotal movementof the block, the block being moved across the machine as hereinafter described, to actuate the arms 41 successively. Therefore, the movementIof the rod 58 relatively downward, through the action of the frame '46 and the parts operated thereby, as hereinbefore explained, will cause the block 61 to move pivotally (the rod 60 serving as a pivot) and, through the projecting end of the block 61 contacting with the arm 41, move the pawL 38 on its pivot, to release the corresponding segment and permit it to drop by gravity. I

To impart a longitudinal movement to the frame 46 in a'direction to release the pawl 38, I rovide a series ofkey plates or bars,

best s own in Fig. 7, which plates also serve as means for controlling the length of piv-' otal movement of the segments 30. The

keys or push-pieces and their supports and the manner of operation will now be de scribed.

The upper segmental portion of each of the frames 26 is provided with a series of radially-extending slots or kerfs 63, corres 0ndin number to 'the number of test 42. Sand kerfs extend inwardly from the peripheries of the frame 26 a suitable distance and serve as guides to receive the horizontallyextending arm 64 of the key-plate 65, said arm, when in position, crossing the periphery of both segmental plates 49. i The keyplate 65 is formed by folding or bending the strip of metal in such manner as to. Provide two arms. which extend substantially at right angles to each other, the horizontallyextending arm 64 carrying the key or push- 'iece 66, while the vertical arm 67 has its, ower endprovided with a recess 68. The key orpushpieee 66 is connected to the arm 64 by means of a metallic stri 69, the lower end of which is secured, as by riveting or brazing, to the arm 64. The strip 69 carries a washer 70 and spring 71. The plate 22 is provided with a series of openings 72 for theseries of four across the machine, each series .be' inclined, so that keys or push-pieces wh i c ll extend through the o nings 72 uill be seated in successive slots or kirfs 63. Therefore,,when all of the keys are in position, the successive kerfs or slots 63, beginning with the uppermost, will each contain a single keyplate, the number of kerfs used depending, of

course, upon the number of keys employed. When the ke s or pushpieces 66 are m'position, the was er 70 and spring 71- will be located on the outer surface of the plate 22, the spring serving to retain the key in its normal position or return it'to that position after bemg depressed by .the user in the operation of the machine. To retain the plate 65 in position against a movement laterally of the machine,. I rovide a segmental late or strip 73, said p ate being secured to t e side frame 26 between which and the plate the vertically extending arms 67 are passed. A segmental plate 74'of less size than the plate 73 is-also secured to the frame 26 at a-point be tween the plate 73 and the shaft 23, a space being formed between said late and the frame 26 to receive the reduced lower ends of the vertical arms 67;

The keys or pushieces each bear one.0r

' more characters, as or instance, the upper I rying the greatest number of characters.

key may bear the letter A and the numeral 0, the second key bearing the letter B and the numeral 1, etc., this double arrangement of characters de ending upon the arrangement of the series of it being understood that a key will be provided for each character on the segment cari- I but one series of segments is used or employed, the keys bear but a single character,

ut as heretofore stated, I prefer to employ two or more series of segments, one series for the letters and other marks and another for numerals or private marks alone, and therefore, such ke s as will operate on both series, will bear a plliirality of characters.

It will now be understood that when one of the keys or push-pieces is depressed by the operator, the inward movement will cause the horizontally-extending arm 64 to bear upon the lates 49 and forceinward the frame 46, resu ting the pivotal movement of the pawl 38 and release of the segment which thereby becomes free to move pivotally by gravity. The inward movement ofthe arm 64 carries said arm to a point where it will cross the path of movement of the projection 31, so that during the pivotal movement of the segment, when the PIOJGGtlOIl 31 comes into contact with the arm 64, further pivotal movement of the segment will be prevented by said arm 64. And as the key returns to its normal position under the action of its spring 71, the pawl 38 thathad been moved by the inward movement of the 'key, will return to its position in contact with the teeth 42, the particular tooth being determined by the position of the segment when such return movement takes place, the parts being so arranged that the pawl 38 will be sufiiciently-engaged with a tooth prior to the disengagement of the arm 64 and projection 31, to prevent further pivotal movement of the segment. Duringthe pivotal segments 24,

movement of the segment the pawl or detent '32, when passing into contact with the arm 64, recedes. into the recess-35and permits the segment to continue its movement until contact of the arm 64 and projection 31 is had. After the pawl 32 has passed the arm 64, however, it immediately, returns to its outward position, its outer edge, forming a stop to prevent a return movement of the segment, such as might occurwhen one of the lower keys are used, in which case the pivotal movement of segment would be of considerable length witha tendency of a rebounding action taking place when the projection 31 reaches the arm 64. As, however,

the arm 64 rests within the space between the projection 31 and pawl 32, the segment.

is practically locked against movement in either direction until the arm-64 passes out of the path of movement of the projection and pawl, at which time the further gravity movement of-the segment is prevented by the pawl 38, as hereinbefore explained. From this description it will be seen that the length of movement of the segment is controlled by the position of the key which operates the frame 46. Hence, there is a requirement that the successively arranged keys must bear characters similar to those arranged successively on the segments; otherwise the o eration of a key bearing one character would ferent character on the line of printing.

As heretofore explained, the movement of the block pivotally affects but one segment during a single movement. Hence it is necessary, in order that other segments may be manipulated, that the block be moved across the machine so as to bring the end 62 over the arm 41 of pawl 38 of the desired segment. In other words, the block must be result in the placing of a dif capable of being moved to a position over any one of the arms 41. Such lateral movement is obtained by providing the rod 60 in the form of a sliding rod, andto permit of a step-by-step movement of the block across the machine, to permit the segments to be operated successively, I rovide the escapement mechanism now to e described.

75' designates an esca ement rack which extends across the mac ine in rear of the sliding rod 60, said rack being secured to or formed integral with two arms 76, the forward ends of which form bearings mounted on the rod 60. One of said arms'76 is provided with an arm 77 which projects vertically and is provided with a laterally-extending pin 78 which extends through an opening or slot 79 formed in the frame 26. A spring 80, having one end secured to the frame 26 and the other end secured to said pin 78, acts to place the frame formed by the escapement rack and the arms 76, under tension, but permitting movement of the rack on its pivot (the sliding rc'id 60) a distance controlled by the size 95 which is located out of thepath of movelaterally a sufficlent distance to extend over of the letters canalso bear the numeral cor- .ments-is in alinement with the that key, whereupon the segmentwill be set in this position upon release of the key. This operation brings the letter J on the face of the segment on to the printing line and feeds the block a sufficient distance to place its end 62 in position to release the second segment. 1f the key bearing the letter O is then pushed in, the second segment will be set with the letter 03' of the second segment on the printing line adjacent tov the letter J previously set. If now the keys bearing the letters .11 and N be'successively pushed .in, the third and fourth segments will present these letters on to'the printing line, thus completing the Word John. The spacing keyg is then oper ated with .the resultant movement of, the block 61 past the fifth segment and then the key bearing the letter forming the first, letter of the next name is pushed in, o erating the sixth'segment and placing the etter in the printing line, but separated fromthe preceding word by a spacerepresented by the width-of one of the segments. The operation isfcontinued until the name is set. If

the number of letter-bearing segments is greater than the number of letters in the name to be printed, the spacing key is manipulated the necessary number of times to carry the block 61 across .to the numeralbearing segments when the number is set in the same. manner as just described. As similar letters on the unset segments are necessarily in alinement across the machine, it will be understood that the key bearing one responding to the numeral on the unset segments which is in alinement with that letter on 'theletter segments. For instance, if the 5line of-numerals on the numeralaseg F line of letters on theletter segments, when all vof the segments are in their'uppermost or unset position.';the key which will set the letter-F will also set the numeral 5 when the nu meral segments have been reached by the block 61. Undersuch circu stances the key may bear twocharacters. Where numerals are not used -in:the laundr mark, the block 61 is lef t in the position it lies ass imed after the last letter of the name has been set.

Aft r theline' of pri itiag has been completed, as above d2scribrd. the printing is perforrmd by I the following mechanism. itemovably mountrd on the front of the frames 26 below the line of pri:'-.ti1g, is a casing 92 containing an itik reservoir 93 and ink pad 94. The casi rig 92 is formed with a back ment of the segments, said back extending the front of the" frames'its ends being provid (1 with suitable slots 96 for the passage of screw heads 97, the slots being arranged so that when the casing is in proper position, it I walls of which are formed by a front plate 99 spaced from the back 95, and a top 100, the P ate 99 being preferably secured at its bottorn to the back 95, the whole forming a reservoir which gradually decreases in size fromfits top to its bottom,the.reservoir ex-' tending entirely across theback between the flanges 98. The plate 99 is perforated and thetop 100 is provided with a filling o ening 101 for the ink. To the fr'ontof thep ate 99 are secured two." spaced longitudinally-extend; ing guides .102, beneath which piece of feltfor other material which receives 111k from the reservoir through the perforationsin the plate 99,-saidmaterial forming the ink p back 95' 1s brought forward and turned upwardly to form, with the flanges 98, a troug shaped receptacle .103 which will receive any drippings, etc., which may pass from the-pad. 104 designates a U-shaped frame wlnch 1S pivotally mounted on the shaft 23 outside of the frames 26, the connecting portion extending around-the rear of the machine.

The side arms- 105 of said-frame are prefere ably formedxasshown inFig. 2-, and are provided, adjacent their front ends, with pintles 106; on :which is pivotally mounted a U-shapedframe .107, shown in detail in Fig. 11, said frame-havingarece'ptacle 108 extending across the outer side of the end of said frame -107,.*to receive the type-inking pad 109 preferably formed of a s uare bar 110 covered by felt or other suita le mate-,

rial. This construction permits of the bar being removed-and changed to present anew surface to-thelineof printing. One of the side arms of the frame 107 is providedwith a laterally-extendingarm l-l-lhaving on its rear face a. projection 112 which, when the is placed a ad 94. The lower. portion of the frame 104- is lIl'ltSlOWGII'IlOSt position, contacts with the front end of an adjustable plate 113 mounted on the frame 26,. one of the faces of said projection 112 serving as a cam to move the frame 107 pivotally when contact is made with the .plate 113, and thereby bring the pad 109 into close'contact with the ink pad 94, and retain it in that position. V hen, 'duringthe pivotal movement of 11119- frame 104, the releas d from contact with t e plate 113, the weight of the front'portion of the frame 107 will cause a pivotal movement of the frame to permit the front to drop until said frame comes-in contact with the pin 114' secured in the s id arm 105, whereupon the relative position of the frames 104 and 107 will be pres rved until the frame 104 has almost reachedthe limit of its upward movement,-

projection 112 is 40 tionof the arm 122 is provided-wit at which timone endtithe arm 111 will pass into contact with a plate 115 adjustably secured on the frame 26, resulting in a piv otal movement of the frame 105 to bring the 5 face of the pad 109 into contact with the characters on the printing line. This double pivotal movement of the frame 107, by ringing the inking face of the type pad 109 into contact at but two oints, serves to prevent a distribution of the ink over any surfaces other than the pad 94 and the printing line, the outward movement of the frame 107 carrying it away from any liability of being brought into contact with other parts of the machine. The movement of the frame 104 is limited in one direction by the contact of the projection 112 and plate 113 and in the other direction by a pin 116 carried by the frame 26.

The movement of the inking mechanism just described takes place during the movement of the platen presently described, and the various parts and connections for ,producing these movements will be described in connection with the platen movements.

117 designates a rod or shaft extending across the base of the machine, said shaft having an integral arm 118 projecting laterally therefrom to which is removab y secured a connecting rod 119 leading to a suitable treadle- (not shown). Mounted on the shaft 117 to have movement therewith, are two bearings 120 formed on the platen carrier 121, said carrier being formed substantially as shown in section in Fi 5, and comprising a forwardly-extending i' ame 122 carried by said bearings 120, said frame having its front end elongated laterally, as shownin Fig. 4. The upper face of the elon ated pora. groove 123' to receive aplaten 124, formed of rubber or other suitable material, the arrangement of the parts being such that 'an oscillatory movement of the shaft 117 will 'cause the platen 124 to be carried toward and from the.

printing line, the movement'in one direction eing limited by the contact of the laten or the material carried thereby with t e print-' ing line, and in the other direction-by the contact of a lug 125 carried by one of the bearings 118, with the base 20. A spring 126, connected to a lug 127 formed on the frame 122 and to a lug 128 on the base 20, serves to normally retain the platen frame in its lowermost position To retain the material on the platen'I pro-.

vide a plate 129 pivotally mounted on the shaft 117, said late extending into a recess formed in the ase 20, the plate being of sufficient length to pass under the base'20, which limits the downward movement of the front of the plate. To the front of the plate 129 I removably secure a loop-shaped struc ture 130 (shown in Figs. 2, 4 and 5), the ends c5 of which are adapted to cross the ends of the platenwhenthe latter is brought into contact therewith. The plate 129 is normally held in its lowermost position by means of a spring 131 connected to the lug 128' and to t e frame of said plate. The downward movement of the'front of the plate 129 is limited, as heretofore stated, and the lower limit ofmovement of said plate is such as to retain the 'oop 130 a suitable distance above the face of the platen 124. When, however, the laten is moved toward the line of rint rng l iy the treadle, the platen will, uring th s movement, come in contact with the toop 130, and-the further movement of the platen'will cause the platen and loop to move together, the loop being under the tension of the spring 131. The 100 when the platen is carried into contact wit the printing line, does not contact with the character on the segments, the characters being spaced apart sufficiently to ermit the front of the loop to pass between t em. Upon the return movement of the platen the plate 129 will, under the action of the spring 131, accompany the laten until said plate 129 has reached its 90 owermost position, whereupon further movement of the laten carries it below the loop to separate t e 100 and platen and thereby relieve the materia gripping action provided by the contact of the loop and platen.

132 designates a lever pivotally connected to the platen frame, said lever extending upwardl through a slot formed in the base 20, and aving its upper end provided with an elongated slot 133 within which a pin 134, carried by one of the side arms 105, is

.adapted to ride. For the purpose ofretainiIg the lever in Y position against a lateral movement which would permit a disengagement of the pin 134 from slot 133, I place a headed screw 135, having a flat side, on the said arm in. such position that when turned with the fiat side of the screw paralell with the edge of the lever said lever can be moved laterally to disengage the pin and slot, but when said screw is turned to a different position, the head will prevent such lateral movement. 135 designates an arm projecting laterally from said side arm 105, the outer end of sai arm 135 being connected, by a brace 136, with the said arm at a point distant from the point of connection of the arm 135'" with the said arm 105, thereby prevent ing any relative movement of the arms 105 and 135*. Pivotally mounted on the arm 135 is a latch or dog 137, of the shape shown in Fig. 2, the edges of said dog forming cam surfaces against which a pin 138, carried by the lever 132, is adapted to 'ride. The pivotal movement of the dog 137 is limited by a pin 139 which extends into an opening or slot 140 formed in the arm 135*. When the mechanism of the machine is in the position shown in Fig. 2 of the drawin s,- the dog 137 is in its normal position with t e 130 65 characters the dog 137. Further downward movement of said lever causes the'arm 135? to' move toward the left, due to the riding of the pin 135 10 on the surfacea, and thereby move the frame 104 on its pivot to carry the t" pe-inking pad to. the line of printing. As -t is latter point is being approached, the in 138 passes v downward to a point below lie line of pivot pivotally to the opposite extreme of its movement, this latter position being reached at the-time when the characters on the line'of printing have been properly inked. VVhenthe pin 138 has passed off of the cam surface a, the frame 104 will be free to drop to its normal position, this movement taking place while the platen is being moved toward the line of printing and before reaching the line,

has returned to its normal position before the platen or the parts. carried thereby, has

reached a point where the movement of these parts could be interfered with by said frame 104. After the pin138 has passed beyond the point where it is in contact with the face a of the dog 137, the latter returns to its normal position and remains in such posi-' tion during the downward or return move ment of the frame 104; after the impressionhas been made, the return movement of the platen and lever 132 causes the pin 138 to ride against the face I) of the dog 137, moving the upper end-of the latter toward the right As the pin passes above the plane of the upper end' of the dog the latter returns to. its

normal position and ready to be again acted' upon by the pin when the machine is again operated. a

When the necessary number of impressions have been made and it is desired to change the name, etc., in the line of printing,

the segments 24 are all returned to theirupper or unset positions at a single operation,

ready to be manipulated to set a new line of printing. The mechanism for doing this is as follows: As shown in Fig. 5 each segment is provi ed, adjacent its hub, with a shoulder 141 which lies in the path of movement of the-connecting bar 142 of a yoke-frame 143. secured on the shaft 23, said bar 142, in its normal position, lying beyond the limit of the path which the shoulders 141 move in when the segments. are passing from their upper to the lowermost positions which they can assume, thereby interposing no structure which will prevent the free movement of the segments in carried on the periphery of the der tension.

of the dog 137, whereupon the dog is moved the parts being so timed that the frame 104 .eral segmentswill be found to and outof the path of movement ofsaid pin.

presenting any one of all of the segments. This position of the bar or the yoke frame of which it forms a part, is maintained by means of a spring 144, the lower end of which. is secured to the side frame 26, while the up er end of said spring is passed upwardly anci partially around one of the bearings formed on the'frame 143 andconnected to the in .145 secured on said bearing, thereby pl cing the yoke frame un- A-pin'146 (see Fig. 2),- carried by the yoke frame and adapted to contact I with a portion of the side-frame 26-, forms a stop to limit the. movement of-the yoke frame under the action of the spring 144.

The outer end of the shaft 23 is provided --with an operating handle147.

148- designates a lever pivotally connected to one of the side frames 26, as at 149, and extends rearwardly to apoint beyond the 'path of movement of theyoke'frame. The; rear end of said lever is pivotal] connected, as at 150, to the upper end of a1 ink 151, the lower end of which is connected to a lever 152 pivotally mounted on the rod 51.. The lever 152 is held under the tension of a spring 153 coiled about the rod 51 and having one of its ends passed around the side frame 26. The front end of said lever 152 is connected, by suitable means such as a chain 154 passed overa pulley 155 in the side frame, to the block 61.

When the name andnumbei' have been set I by the manipulation of the se ments as hereinbefore described, the shoul ers,of the sevbe in different positions relative to th'e'connecting bar 142 of the yoke frame, due'tothe difference in the length of'movement of the segments in presentlng the proper character on the line of rinting, the sliding rod 60 at the same time aving moved practically across the ma-' chine so that the block 61 is practicallyat the right of the machine. This latter movement draws upon the chain 154-and thereby -'moves the lever 152 on its pivot to raise the free end of said lever, and through the 'link 151, raises the'rear end of lever 148 so as to bring its upper surface into the path of movement of the yoke frame 143. ith the parts in this position, and it is desired to .return theparts to a position from which they can be re-set, the handle 147 is grasped and moved rearwardly, thereby imparting a movement to the yoke frame 143. As said frame describes its path of movement it comes in contact with the upper surface of the lever 148 which, under the pressure placed thereon by the 'yoke fran1e,'is forced downwardly, resulting, by reason of the connections described, in drawing the-chain 154 downward, this in turn drawing the block 61 across the machine, the tooth of the escapement member 82 riding freely over the teeth of the. escapement rack 75 during such movement. As the block 61 is secured to the rod seems 60, this movement of the block will at the same time carry the rod 60 in the same ments of the sliding rod 60 and theisegments are produced by the same mechanism the direction and thereby place a tension on the lyoke frame 143it is necessary, in order that spring 60. This operation places the escapement mechanism in position ready for a new setting of the first segment. The yoke frame, during its pivotal movement, also comes in contact with the shoulder 14d of those segments which have been used in the setting of the former line of printing, the time of contact depending upon the relative position of the shoulders, the movement of the yoke-frame, by reason of such contact,

' imparting a pivotal movement to the seg ments, which movement is continued until all of the segments have been moved to their normal or unset or upper positions, this movement being limited-bykthe contact of the projections 31 with a bar 156 secured on the side frames '26. This places all of the parts in position for'another setting of the -ting movement to be im be necessary that the tooth segments, whereupon a release of the handle 147 will, under the action of the spring 144, cause the yoke frame 143 to resume its normal osition.

W en it is desiredto limit the line of printing to numerals, and the machine has not been operated to return the segments to the unset plosition, in which case the sliding rod 60, wit the escapement mechanism has comleted its movement toward the right, the eft end of the rod having assedwithin the face of the side wall 21 on'tlhe left of the machine, a stop 157, mounted on the side wall, is turned so as to extend partially across the o ening 158 in the side wall through which t e rod 60 passes and into the ath of movement of said rod. The left en of the rod 60 is provided with a recess 158 formed by cutting away a side of the rod to forms, shoulder 159 located at a suitable distance from the end of the rod. 1f, therefore, the stop 157 is moved to extend across the path of movement of the shoulder 159, the movement of the rod '60 toward the left of the machine will be'limited by contact of the stop and shoulder, and as said stop and shoulder are relatively positioned so as to bring the tooth of the escapernent member 82 into the proper tooth of the rack to cause the initial setarted to the first segment bearingnumera s, the operator is ab e to dispense with the manipulation ofthe spacing key which would be required to move the rod 60 from a position at the extrerne left of the machine. nipulation of the spacing key imparts a rapid movement to the sliding rod 60, care would of the escapement 'inember be brought to the required tooth of the rack 7 5; By the use, however, of the stop 157, such care need not'be exercised, as the proper relative positions are obtained by movingthe stop'inthe manner indicated. As, however, the return move- While such 'rnalink 151 with two elongated slots 160 through which are adapted to pass screws 161 c'arried i by a plate 162 which is mounted alongside of the link, the lower screw extending into the lever 152 and forming the ivot forthe connection of the link and sai lever. A s ring 163 connects the u per screw 161 an the lower end of the lin r. This construction is such that when the lever 152 is held stationary by reason of the contact of the stop 157 and shoulder 159, the lever 148 and link 151 may continue their movement under the action of the yoke frame, the link 151 sliding on the screws 161 against the tension of the spring 163, thereby permitting the yoke frame to move the segments to their normal positions without imparting a com lete movement to the sliding rod 60 so as to raw it to its position on the left of the machine. The spring 163 is of sufiiciently greater tensile strength than the resistance offered by the movement of the tooth of the escapement member over the teeth of the rack 75, to cause the link connections to operate the parts without expanding the spring 163, when the stop 157 is out of the path of movement of the rod 60. And if it is desired to entirely lock the machine against a setting operation, the stop 157 is moved entirely across the opening 158, thereby preventing any movement of the rod 60 toward the left. This will not, however, prevent the return movement of the segments, the slotted yield ing connection of the link 157 being of sufficient length to permit a complete movement of the yoke frame without any substantial movement of the sliding rod 60.

In'Fig. 14, 1 have illustrated a modified form of mounting for the platen members. In this constructlon 1 have dispensed with the spring 131, the spring 126 being connected to a link 164 pivotall mounted on the carrier 121, the late 129 iaving an arm 165 located above t e link 164. With this construction, the movement of the platen toward the printing line causes'an eX ansion of the spring 126 without affecting t e relative position of the link 16 1, until the loop 130 is reached, whereupon the continued movement of the two members causes the arm 165 to contact with'the upper surface of the link 164 and gradually force the latterdownward and increasing the tension of the spring and places both members under a spring'tension which is suflicien't to retain t e members in their gripping positions durcontact of the plate 129 is had with the base pivotally connected,

20 as hereinbefore described, at which time the arm 165 will pass out of contact with the link 16 1, the spring then returning the platen to its normal position.

In view of the fact that all materials are not suitable for receiving the identification mark thereon, as where the color or the material is substantially the same as that of the ink used, or when it is not desired that the mark be placed on the article, it, is desirable that the mark be applied in some other form, and this I accomplish by printing the mark on a strip of tape which can then be sewed or otherwise secured to the article. In order that the ta e may be readily placed in position on the p aten rubber, I provide a U-shaped frame 166 having its sides 167 as at 168, to the platen in substantially vertical alinement with the platen'rubber. On the outer side of each of the sides 167 is mounted a resilient'plate 169 having a recess 170, said recess bein below the plane of recesses 171 formed in t e ends of the sides 167, thereby providing clamping of two plate and the side 167,

' operative position the plates between which and the outer surface of the sides 167, the tape is passed. The frame 166 is adapted to be held in either one positions by means of a spring 172 secured to the. connecting plate 173 of the frame and the frame of the laten. The tape, which is preferably in the orm of a roll or skein (not shown), is led through the recess in one of the plates 169, between said into the recess 171 and across the top of the frame into the recess 171 of the opposite'side 167, between said side and its contacting plate and out through the recess 170 of the latter plate. To permit of a ready insertion of the tape, the clamping portion of the plates 169 is formed with a lip 174 which projectsoutwardly beyond the edges of the side 167. When the frame is in tape is held directly By movin the over the platen rubber.

ta e is earned to frame 166 on its pivots, the the position shown in dotted 'nes in Fig. 5, this movement carrying the frame entirely out of a position where it would not interfere with the positioning of other classes of material.

To prevent a free swinging movement of any of the segments 24 should it hap en that said segment would not be held by t e pawl 38 during the setting operation, and thereby permit a movement of the se ment to an extent which would cause it-to orcibly come in contact with the pawl in a manner to damage it, I place a roller 5, preferably of wood, on the rod 51, said rod limiting the movement of the segment. i

Inasmuch as I have described the o eration of the several parts of the machine while proceeding with the description of the said parts and their construction, the operation of 1 ments having spaces, the movement of as might be made without deziparting from the spirit of the invention an without attempting to point out all of the uses to which it may be put, what I claim is 1. In a marking machine, a plurality of pivotally mounted character-bearing segments having spaces, means for holding the segments against rotation, means located in said spaces for releasing individual segments, the release of a segment permitting it to move on its ivot by gravity, and a platen to support t e article to be marked. 1

2. In a marking machine, a plurality of pivotally mounted character bearing segments, having spaces, means for holding the segments against rotation, means located in sald spaces or controlling the length of movement of the segments ivotally, the movement of the segments fiein due to gravity, and a platen to support t e article to be marked.

3. In a marking pivotally-mounted character-bearing seg-' ments having spaces, each segment being movable between two points by gravity, means located within said spaces whereby the length of movement between said points may be determined, and means for presenting the article to be marked at a predetermined oint on the periphery of the segments which ave been moved.

. 4. Ina marking machine, a plurality of pivotally-mounted character-bearing segments having s aces, the movement in one direction being gravity, means located in said spaces for controlling the length of ravity movement of the segments, and a p aten to su port the article to be marked.

5. a marking machine, a plurality of pivotally-mounted character-bearing segments having spaces, the movement of each segment. in one direction being by gravity, means located in said spaces for controlling the length of gravity movement of each segment, said means being common to all of the segments, and a to be marked.

6. In a marking machine, a plurality of pivotally-mounted character-bearing ments having spaces, the movement of each segment in one direction being by gravity, said movement being'between predetermined points, and means located in sald spaces common to all of the segments for controlling the length of movement of the segments.-

7. In a marking machine, a plurality of pivotally-mounted character-bearing seg;

eac

platen to support the article segsegment in one direction being by ravity,

means for holding the segment in eit er one of two ositions, and means located in said spaces or releasing the segment from one of its positions to permit it to have its gravitymovement.

8. In a marking machine, a plurality of pivotally-mounted character-bearing segments having spaces, the movement of each segment in one direction being by gravity, means for holding the segment in either one of two ositions, and means located in said spaces for releasing the segment from one of its positions to (permit it to have its gravitymovement, sai releasing means controlling the length of, movement of the segment.

9. In a marking machine, a plurality of pi'votally-mounted character-bearing segments having spaces, the movement of each segment in one direction being by gravity, a pawl for holding each segment in either one of two positions, and means located in said spaces for simultaneously releasing said pawl and presenting a stop for limiting the gravity movement of the segment.

10. In a marking machine, a plurality. of pivotally-mounted character-bearing segments having spaces, the movement of each segment in one directionbeing by gravity, a pawl for retaining the segment in either one of two positions, stop devices in said spaces,

and a series of push-devices operatively connected with the pawl, the movement of any one of said devices releasing the pawl and presenting one of said stop devices to limit the gravity-movement of the segment, the position of the device controlling the length of movement of j the segment.

11. In a marking machine, a plurality ofpivotally-mounted character-bearing segments having spaces and having their movement in one direction bygravity, and means located in said spaces for simultaneously releasing individual segments and presenting a stop to limit the amount-Jot gravity-movement.

12. In a marking machine, a plurality of pivotally-mo'unted character-bearing segments having spaces, each segmenthavinga projection, a permanent and a movable stop between which said projection is adapted to move, andmeans located in said spaces for retaining the segment in either one of its two positions. I

13. In a markin machine, a pivotallymounted charactercaring segment having spaces and movable in one direction by gravity, a projection carried bysaid segment, a plurality of stops-for limiting the movement of the segment in one direction, the movemovement of the projection determining the length of movement of the segment, and means located in said spaces for retain ng the segment in either one of itsf two positions.

14. In a marking machine, a pivotallymounted character-bearing segment, a projection carried by said segment, a stop movable into the path of movement of the projection, and means carried by the segment for preventing rebounding upon the contact of the stop and rojection.

15. In a mar ing machine, a pivothllymounted character-bearin segment having a projection, a stop movab e into the path of movementof the projection, and a movable abutment carried by the segment for preventing a re-bounding movement upon con tact of the stop and projection.

- 16. In a marking machine, a pivotallymounted character-bearing segment having a projection, and also having a movable abutment adjacent to but spaced from said projection, and a stop movable into the path of movement of said projection and adapted to limit the movement of the segment, said abutment cooperating with the stop to prevent rebounding of the segment.

17. In a marking machine, a pivotallymounted character-bearing segment having a projection and a movable abutment adj acent to but spaced from said projection, and a stop movable into the path of movement of said abutment and projection, said abutmentpermitting a free movement of the segment in one direction.

18. In a marking machine, a pivbtallymounted character-bearing segment having a projection and spring-actuated movable abutment adjacent to but spaced from said projection, and a stop movable into the path of movement of said abutment and projection, saidabutment yielding to permit a free movement of the segment in one direction but forming a stop against movement in the other direction.

1 9. In a marking machine, a pivotallymounted character-bearing segment having a space and movable in one direction by gravity, means for retaining the segment in either one of two positions, a plurality of L- shaped push-devices, and means located in .of said connections being located in said space of the segment.

'21. In a marking machine, a pivotallymountedisegment having a space and movsite sides of the segment, a plurality of pushpush-pieces, portions of said connections bemounted gravity-impelled segment having segment, and connectionsintermediate said frame and the retammg means for releasing able in one direction by gravity, means for retaining the segment in either one of two positions, a movable frame located on oppopieces each having an arm removably contacting with the frame on both sides of the said means upon actuation of one of the of movement of said teeth, and means for controlling the movement-of said pawl.

23. In a marking machine, a pivotallya peripheral character-bearing surface, and also having a series of teeth mounted concentricall with and between the axis and peripheral surface of the segment, a springactuated pawl between said teeth and the axis of the segment and normally in contact w th one of said teeth, and means for releasmg the pawl to permit the gravity movement of the segment.

24. In a marking machine, a plurality of pivotally-mounted character-carriers movable to present a character on a predetermined line, a carrier-selecting device, means for operating said device step-by-step in one direction, and means for limiting the movement of the device in the opposite direction, whereby the number of carriers open to selection is limited.

25. In a marking machine, a plurality of pivotally-mounted character-carriers movable to present a character on a. predeterminedline, a carrier-selecting device movable'ste '-by-step in one direction, a stop in the pat of movement of said selecting-device to limit its return movement, and a device for moving said selecting device in the return direction simultaneously with a return movement of all of the carriers, the movement of said carrier-returning device lacingv the carriers in unset position regardiess of the length of return movement of the selecting device. I

26. In a marking machine, a plurality of settable character-carriers, a swinging inkpad, a stationary ink-pad against which said swinging pad is normally held in contact, and means for guiding the swinging ad in its swinging movements so that it W1 first move outwardly from the stationar ,pad, then rise on the pivot of its carrier, t en'be carried into contact'with the line of printing, then be returned with similar movements in the opposite direction, whereby the distribution of ink by the swinging ad is confined to the stationary pad and the ine of printing.

27. In a marking machine, a plurality of settable character-carriers, a platen frame movable toward and from the line of rinting on said carriers, a platen on said rame, a

tape carrying device pivotally mounted to carry the tape into and out of a position across said platen, and material-gripping means located in the path of movement of said platen.

In testimony whereof I have afiixed' my signature, in presence of two witnesses.

THOMAS J. HUME. Witnesses:

J. C. HUME, G. H. HICKS. 

